Never forget: Remembering 3 officers killed in line of duty 5 years ago

PITTSBURGH — Friday marked one of the darkest days in Pittsburgh's history. Five years ago, three Pittsburgh police officers were killed in the line of duty.

Officers Eric Kelly, Paul Sciullo and Stephen Mayhle were shot and killed while responding to a domestic call in Stanton Heights.

A ceremony was held in honor of the fallen officers outside of the Zone 5 police station Friday at 7 a.m. -- the hour the officers were gunned down.

One by one, officers placed blue flowers at the memorial outside the station where all three officers worked.

Family members and friends of the fallen officers also attended a ceremony at St. Maria Goretti Church in Bloomfield.

Sciullo's parents said they've been overwhelmed by the outpouring supporting during the past five years.

"They have gotten us through this. Everybody in the whole city," said Sciullo's mother, Sue Sciullo.

"We have to be as a family and come together for one cause. We are all suffering the same way. It seems like just yesterday. It doesn't go away. It never does," said Kelly's mother, Frances Kelly.

Richard Poplawski was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder and was sentenced to death.

"There were three officers who gave their lives protecting us, and we owe to them to never forget them," said Mayor Bill Peduoto.